Republican officials abruptly announced plans Saturday evening to scrap the first day of their national convention, bowing to a threat posed by Tropical Storm Isaac, churning toward Florida. Video by WFTS ABC Action News

Video by WFTS ABC Action News

Frank Schwerin

Lavigne Kirkpatrick

NAPLES - Daily News columnist Brent Batten joins a team of Scripps Howard News Service reporters in Tampa to cover the Republican National Convention. Beginning Sunday, look for his reports as part of the Daily News' expanded coverage of the convention, which is Monday through Thursday.

Some are making the trek north to advance the Republican cause. Others are just hoping their decision to flood Tampa's streets won't result in them getting arrested.

The convention begins Monday and is expected to bring in 4,500 delegates, plus alternates, and tens of thousands of media members and politicians to the city. While all of Florida's 99 delegates will be seated, nearly half won't have full voting privileges.

Southwest Florida is represented by two delegates — Gary Lee, chairman of the Lee County Republican Executive Committee, and Frank Schwerin, chairman of the Collier County Republican Executive Committee

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Schwerin, who attended the 2008 convention in St. Paul, Minn. "I consider myself to be very lucky to be a delegate. It's more exciting than it would be if it were (someplace else)."

Gov. Rick Scott, R-Naples, and his wife, Ann Scott, will serve as at-large delegates. The governor also is scheduled to speak on the first night of the convention.

Southwest Florida has a handful of alternates attending the convention. While those delegates will be seated on the floor during the festivities, they won't have voting rights.

Former state Rep. Gary Aubuchon of Cape Coral said it doesn't matter that he's just an alternate, he's excited to have the chance to attend. This will be Aubuchon's first time attending a Republican convention.

"For me, I'm just going up and looking forward to the experience," he said. "I know all the folks in the (state) House and Senate and the executive branch, so I'm excited to see my friends and colleagues."

But it's not just a time to catch up with old pals. Aubuchon said he's also looking forward to seeing Mitt Romney and Rep. Paul Ryan nominated.

Aubuchon said he isn't going into the four-day convention with any expectations about what he wants to hear or see.

Lavigne Kirkpatrick, an at-large alternate and local tea party leader, has a goal in mind, however.

"I really want to see unity," the Naples resident said. "In order for us to win the election, all the different people and all the different groups need to come together."

Kirkpatrick said she's also hopeful the convention will help the party connect with everyday people.

While Kirkpatrick said there will be tea party members in Tampa for the event, the local contingent isn't organizing any type of event in connection with the convention. The local group plans to hold some events in the fall, Kirkpatrick said.

Republicans aren't the only ones determined to get to Tampa this week, though. Demonstrators representing various causes began arriving on Friday, days before the convention was scheduled to begin.

Officials said 15,000 people could show up to demonstrate during the event.

Ellen Hemrick, an Occupy Naples member, said several Occupy Naples supporters planned to head to Tampa to protest.

Hemrick, who isn't going to Tampa, said members who were unable to go to the convention have "set aside funds to bail out ... anyone getting arrested." That money also could be used to help people who need a little extra cash for food or water, she said.

More than 5,000 people are expected to attend a large demonstration organized by the Coalition to March on Monday.

Local Republicans said they won't let the protesters — or the effects of Tropical Storm Isaac — ruin their home state convention. Instead they're hopeful the event will help rally supporters and woo undecided voters.

"When it comes down to it, I can't save the world, we can't save the world," Kirkpatrick said. "We just need to win Collier County, and I need 100 percent of Republicans voting at the polls."